Local Film "Sparkle" Wins National Award

A documentary by local filmmakers won an award from the largest documentary film festival in the country. Julia Reichert and Steve Bognar directed Sparkle, and as WYSO's Emily McCord reports, it was an audience favorite.

Sparkle tells the story of Sherri Williams, a dancer from the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company who's recovering from a serious injury-her first in her 38 years as a dancer. The film received attention this past weekend when it premiered at Silverdocs in Washington D.C. and won the Audience award for best short documentary. Reichert says she and Bognar were stunned when they heard the news, but said Sherri's story was captivating.

"When Sparkle finished, we brought the real Sparkle up in front of the audience and people jumped to their feet and the whole audience jumped to their feet and applauded, which was amazing," says Reichert.

The winner of the feature documentary also has local ties. Andrew Garrison is a former Daytonian and directed the film Trash Dance.